Dune
November 23rd 2006 03:02
'Dune' is the sci-fi/fantasy epic to end all sci-fi/fantasy epics. When I first read this book (I think I was about eigteen) it had a huge impact on me. I was all like, 'Woahhhhhh fucken hell', cause it was so freaking awesome. It landed on me in an even bigger fashion than Lord of the Rings did, that's how good it was.
'Dune' is the memorable saga of Paul Atriedes, the heir of House Atreides. It is the far future, and the galaxy is controlled by various Houses in a feudal fashion. The most coveted substance in the universe is the spice, Melange, which is only produced on the desert world known as Arrakis (or Dune), and enigmatically at that. The book's set up comes about via a series of power struggles between the Houses... the Imperial House Corrino (the most powerful house) orchestrates the escalation of a feud between Atreides and the debauched House Harkonnen (featuring some of the most vile characters ever committed to page in science fiction), based around ownership of Dune.
Anyway, it gets rather complex, but throw in a mystical and powerful sisterhood known as the Bene Gesserit, vast and dangerous sandworms known as Shai Hulud who are also worshipped as Gods, and various other groups, including the Spacing Guild, and you have the makings of a very original and memorable work of fiction. It goes beyond adventure and, without giving anything away, the end part where Paul Atriedes does his thing is one of the most satisfying endings I have ever read to a piece of fiction of this kind.
'Dune' is science-fiction but it also utilises some aspects of fantasy fiction, especially in the way that it's plot is constructed. At any rate, it's high-brow speculative fiction, and it will feed your imagination in ways you didn't think possible. I haven't read it for a while, but just thinking about it now is making me excited (no, not sexually).
I must admit, I haven't read any other Dune books. I've been afraid... I don't want the follow-ups to sully the impressions the original made on me. It also feels like the series will never end, with Frank Herbert's son bringing out prequal after prequal in his efforts to milk the fans for all they're worth, so I can't help feeling cynical about the 10 or so other Dune books. But the original, it's the bomb.
Anyway, if you want something big and worthwhile, you couldn't go past this book. A true classic.
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Comment by pegasus
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Comment by JoshZ
I love it.
So very, very much.
The later books are interesting, but I would have to admit, this is the most satisfying. Please don't buy yourself the prequels. This link shows the best reason not to
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2003/10/15
Herbert's ability as a story teller is amazing, he twists so many things around in so many wonderful circles.
Ya hya chouhada, ya hya chouhada Muad'Dib!!
(long live the fighters of Muad'Dib)
Comment by Luke
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